Phlox plant named ‘Barten’

ABSTRACT

A distinct cultivar of Phlox plant named ‘Barten’, characterized by its compact plant habit; suitability for potted plant production; short internodes; freely branching, dense and bushy growth habit; dark green foliage color; attractive lavender flowers with white central “eye”; and excellent postproduction longevity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phloxplant, botanically known as Phlox paniculata, and hereinafter referredto by the cultivar name Barten.

The new Phlox is a product of a planned breeding program conducted bythe Inventor in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. The objective of the breedingprogram was to create new compact Phlox cultivars suitable for pottedplant production.

The new Phlox originated from a cross made by the Inventor of twoproprietary Phlox seedling selections identified as code No. 90.44.14.04as the female, or seed, parent and 94.02 as the male, or pollen, parent.The cultivar Barten was discovered and selected by the Inventor as aflowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlledenvironment in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands, in 1995.

Plants of the new Phlox are more compact than plants of the femaleparent. Plants of the new Phlox and plants of the male parent differ inflower color.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken atAalsmeer, The Netherlands, has shown that the unique features of thisnew Phlox are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the cultivar Barten have not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, light intensity,daylength, and fertility level without, however, any variance ingenotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Barten’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘Barten’ as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Compact plant habit, suitable for potted plant production; growthretardants are not required to maintain compact habit.

2. Freely branching and short internodes, dense and bushy growth habit.

3. Dark green foliage color.

4. Attractive lavender flowers with white central “eye”.

5. Excellent postproduction longevity.

Compared to plants of the Phlox paniculata cultivar Lilac Time, notpatented, plants of the new Phlox are more compact, have shorterinternodes and differ in flower color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

The photograph comprises a side perspective view of typical plants ofthe new Phlox. Flower and foliage colors in the photograph may appeardifferent than the actual colors due to light reflectance.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

Plants used for the description were grown in Aalsmeer, The Netherlandsin a glass greenhouse under typical production conditions with daytemperatures ranging from 16 to 28° C. and night temperatures rangingfrom 10 to 18° C. Plants used for the description were about 12 weeksold.

Botanical classification: Phlox paniculata cultivar Barten.

Parentage:

Female parent.—Proprietary Phlox paniculata selection identified as90.44.14.04, not patented.

Male parent.—Proprietary Phlox paniculata selection identified as 94.02,not patented.

Propagation:

Type.—By cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.—Summer: About 21 days at 18° C. Winter: About 35days at 18° C.

Time to develop roots (time to produce a rooted liner).—Summer: About 28days at 18° C. Winter: About 42 days at 18° C.

Root description.—Thick in diameter.

Plant description:

Crop time.—From cuttings, about 12 weeks are required to produce afinished flowering plant.

Form.—Compact, dense and bushy perennial herb; plants typically do notrequire growth retardants to maintain compact habit. Typically grown asa potted plant, suitable for 13 to 17 cm containers.

Plant height.—About 45 cm.

Plant width.—About 25 cm.

Vigor.—Slow growth rate.

Lateral branches.—Quantity: Freely branching, pinching enhances lateralbranch development; typically ten per plant. Lateral branch length:About 10 cm. Lateral branch diameter: About 8 cm. Internode length:About 2.5 cm. Color: 145A. Texture: Glabrous.

Foliage description.—Leaves simple, opposite, generally symmetrical, andlong persisting. Tolerant to stresses. Quantity per lateral branch:Typically about 20. Length: About 8 cm. Width: About 4 cm. Shape:Oblong/elliptic. Apex: Sharply acute. Base: Rounded. Margin: Entire.Texture: Leathery. Color: Young foliage, upper surface: 144A. Youngfoliage, lower surface: 144A. Mature foliage, upper surface: 147A.Mature foliage, lower surface: 138A. Venation, upper surface: 147A.Venation, lower surface: 138A.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.—Single round flowers arranged in terminalpanicles, one per stem; flowers face upright. Panicles globular orpyramidal in shape. Freely flowering. Corolla, salverform, 5-lobed;calyx five-cleft. Flowers last about four days on the plant. Notpersistent.

Natural flowering season.—Continuously flowering from July throughSeptember.

Quantity.—Very freely flowering with numerous flowers per panicle.

Fragrance.—Present; typical of species.

Flower buds.—Length: About 1 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm. Shape: Elliptic.Color: 144A. Rate of opening: About one day.

Flowers size.—About 2 cm.

Petals.—Quantity: Five, fused. Length: About 2.5 cm. Width: About 1 cm.Shape: Broadly ovate. Apex: Rounded. Margin: Entire. Surface: Typicallyflat. Texture: Smooth. Color: Upper and lower surfaces, when opening andfully opened: Close to 78A, fading to 78B. Base of petals and flowerthroat, fully opened: White. Flower tube (outside), fully opened: 78A to78B.

Calyx.—Shape: Campanulate; sepals, linear, fused at base. Sepalquantity: Five. Sepal apex: Acuminate. Sepal margin: Entire. Texture:Smooth. Color, upper and lower surfaces: 144A.

Pedicel.—Strength: Strong. Angle: About 45° to peduncle. Length: About 1cm. Color: 145A.

Reproductive organs.—Pollen: Scarce. Pollen color: 2D. Pistil length:About 2.5 cm. Stigma shape: Trilobed. Stigma color: 154D. Style length:About 2.5 cm. Style color: 154D. Ovary color: 144A.

Seed development.—Seed development has not been observed.

Disease resistance: Under commercial conditions, resistance to PowderyMildew has been observed.

